Portable tower

ABSTRACT

A portable tower having interconnected uprights, each being provided with transversely square, tubular, vertically extending sockets. Outriggers having shanks telescoped within the sockets extend outwardly from the uprights and receive vertically extending leg members telescoped in sleeves carried by the outriggers. Holes in each sleeve and leg member are alignable to provide vertical adjustment of the leg members for accommodating uneven surfaces.

United States Patent Dwight V. Dodge 1817 McAlister, Topeka, Kans. 66604 [21 Appl. No. 838,404

[22] Filed July 2, 1969 [45] Patented Feb. 9, 1971 [72] lnventor [54] PORTABLE TOWER 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 248/163, 52/116, 52/152, 52/648 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6m 11/32 [50] Field of Search 248/163, 165,435, 440,1882, 83; 52/1 16, 152, 637, 645, 648

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 866,303 9/1907 Beynolds 52/152 2,474,250 6/1949 Howard... 248/163 2,804,950 9/1957 Leslie 52/648 2,863,531 12/1958 Campbell 52/152 3,360,288 12/1967 Holscher 52/637 3,371,458 3/1968 Sturgill 52/648 3,408,027 10/1968 Price 248/165 FOREIGN PATENTS 610,325 10/1948 Great Britain 52/637 1,156,509 12/1957 France 248/163 327,432 1/1958 Sweden 248/163 Primary ExaminerMari0n Parsons, Jr. Att0rneyDon M. Bradley ABSTRACT: A portable tower having interconnected uprights, each being provided with transversely square, tubular, vertically extending sockets. Outriggers having shanks telescoped within the sockets extend outwardly from the uprights and receive vertically extending leg members telescoped in sleeves carried by the Outriggers. Holes in each sleeve and leg member are alignable to provide vertical adjustment of the leg members for accommodating uneven surfaces.

PATENTEU 11a @1911 3561.711

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DWIGHT v. cones MWWM 4 M 4. 4 O 4 b as ll] 463K ATTORNEY PORTABLE TOWER This invention relates to tower construction, and more particularly, to a portable tower which may be readily erected in a vertical position on an uneven supporting surface.

The great seating capacity afforded by sports stadiums and the like render facilities of this type particularly well suited for many different kinds of functions which attract relatively large crowds. Often special acoustic and lighting arrangements must be made to adapt these stadiums for serving a particular function. These special arrangements usually require highly portable equipment which may be moved to any of a variety of locations in the stadium and also to accompany a particular group of entertainers or the like from one city to another. Generally, the equipment which is optimum for one function may not be well suited for a subsequent function for which a particular stadium is used, and there is no desire to install permanent equipment which might detract from the principal use of the stadium.

Seldom are two stadiums constructed alike. This heightens the problem of presenting equipment which can be used effectively for this purpose in more than one construction of this type. There is, therefore, a need for apparatus which is versatile enough for ready adaptation to temporarily support equipment of this type on whatever surfaces may be encountered.

Obviously, towers are usually necessary for supporting loudspeakers, auxiliary lights and the like to provide the best possible coverage with such equipment and to minimize the annoyance caused to those in attendance. Towers are, however, difficult to stabilize. Heretofore, it has been necessary either to provide elaborate supporting systems which render the installation costly and relatively nonportable, or the acoustal and lighting equipment has had to be situated in relatively undesirable locations.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a highly reliable, self-supporting tower which is capable of use on highly uneven surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a tower which may be effectively used on radically different supporting surfaces.

In the achievement of the foregoing objects, it is another im portant object of the present invention to provide such a tower which is entirely self contained and which is highly portable.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide such a tower which is of relatively inexpensive and light weight construction, yet which is very durable and capable of supporting heavy loads.

These and other objects of the present invention will be further explained, or will become apparent from the specification, claims and drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tower embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevational view showing an upright and outrigger, parts being broken away and shown in cross section to reveal details of construction; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical, cross-sectional view through a leg member and sleeve of the tower.

A portable tower which embodies the principles of this invention is broadly designated in the drawings by the reference numeral and includes a plurality of elongated rigid tubular uprights l2 interconnected by elongated rigid elements 14. The uprights 12 are spaced apart as illustrated in the drawings with the lowermost ends of the uprights supported on a base plate 16 to present a vertically extending tower 18. Each upright I2 has welded to its outennost surface intermediate its ends a pair of vertically spaced apart, vertically disposed tubular sockets 20 and 22. The sockets 20 and 22 are identical and the construction thereof is best illustrated in FIG. 4. It is pointed out that the sockets 20 and 22 are transversely polygonal and preferably transversely square.

Each upright 12 is provided with a removable outrigger 24. Each outrigger 24 comprises a framework consisting of a pair of elongated rigid tubular members 26 and 28 interconnected intermediate their respective ends by a cross member 30. The members 26 and 28 converge as their outermost ends are approached and the outermost ends are welded to the outer surface of an elongated rigid transversely square sleeve 32. The latter is disposed in a vertical position and each sleeve 32 receives therethrough in telescoped relationship therewith an elongated rigid tubular leg member 34 which is slidable within its respective sleeve 32. A plate 36 is rigidly carried by each leg member 34 at the lowermost end of the leg member.

The innermost ends of each of the members 26 and 28 has rigidly connected thereto a downwardly extending transversely square tubular shank 38 (FIG. 4) which complementally slides into its corresponding socket 20. The transversely polygonal configuration of both the shanks and their corresponding sockets stabilizes the outriggers 24 against rotation about the longitudinal axes of the shanks. The shanks are maintained in the sockets by gravity and by frictional forces which are increased by the moment imparted to outriggers 24 by the forces exerted against plate 36 as will be apparent.

Each leg member 34 and its corresponding sleeve 32 is provided with a longitudinally extending series of vertically spaced apart transversely extending holes 40 and 42 respectively. The vertical spacing between the successive holes 40 is different from the vertical spacing between the successive holes 42 and the holes 40 are alignablc with the holes 42 upon relative shifting of the leg member 34 in its sleeve 32. Transversely extending pins or bolts 44 serve to releasably secure the leg members 34 in any predetermined position with respect to the corresponding sleeve 32.

The sleeves 32 are preferably transversely square and the leg members are complemental to the square configuration so that the holes 40 and 42 may be readily aligned with one another simply by vertical shifting of the leg members.

A pair of the uprights 12 are secured to base plate 16 by respective hinges 46. The axes of hinging movement of the pair of hinges 46 are aligned so that tower 18 may be pivoted with respect to base plate [6 about the aligned hinge axes.

In the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration, an elongated horizontally extending bar 48 is rigidly secured to the top of tower 18. A plurality of loudspeaker units 50 are mounted at longitudinally spaced positions on bar 48 by means of mounting brackets 52. The latter comprise a plate 54 pivoted at 56 to bar 48 and having an arcuate slot 58 which receives a releasable bolt 60 extending into bar 48. Manifestly, bolt 60 may be loosened to permit the pivoting of plate 54 through a predetermined are defined by slot 58 for directing the speaker 50 in a desired direction. The speakers 50 are mounted to plate 54 by hinge means 62 to permit the tilting of the speakers about a horizontal axis if desired.

In operation, the base plate I6 is installed at the precise spot from which the tower I8 is intended to extend in an upright direction. The tower may be tilted so that the upper end thereof is in relatively close proximity to the ground for installation of the speakers 50. The tower 18 is then pivoted to its upright position with all of the uprights 12 supported on base plate 16. Each outrigger 24 is then installed by telescoping the respective shanks 38 into the corresponding sockets 20 and 22. The outriggers 24 extend in angularly disposed positions and it is preferred that the angles between the respective outriggers be substantially identical to provide maximum stability for the tower.

The leg members 34 are then shifted in their corresponding sleeves 32 until the respective plates 36 firmly engage the supporting surface. The bolts 44 are then installed to lock the leg members in the supporting positions whereupon the outriggers 24 provide lateral stability to the tower unit.

If the supporting surface is uneven, as is always the case when the tower is used in a stadium or the like, each respective leg member 34 is shifted in its socket prior to installation of bolt 44 until the plate 36 engages the supporting surface,

whatever may be the elevation of that particular part of the surface. Thus, in many instances, the plate 36 for one leg member 34 may be supported by a level of the stadium seat area which is either above or below the portion of the seat area which supports either of the other leg members.

Not to be overlooked is the readily available vernierlike adjustment of the leg members which may be attained as a result of utilization of series of holes having different spacing. The increment of adjustment between available relative positions for the leg members is reduced to the differential between the spacing for the respective series of holes. Accordingly. the spacing between each hole of each series may be kept sufficiently great so that the structural durability of the tubular leg members is not unduly weakened.

It has been found that tower units constructed as described above are extremely versatile in that they may be readily installed or removed without particular concern for the uneven characteristics of the supporting surface. The assembled unit is highly stable without necessity for guy wires or other permanent or semipermanent installations. Although the unit has been illustrated in the drawings supporting a plurality of loudspeakers, it will be recognized by those in this art that the tower unit could be utilized for supporting a variety of items such as, for example, a spot light assembly or the like. The tubular construction utilized substantially throughout in the tabrication of the components for the tower unit insures the extreme light weight of the unit.

lclaim:

l. A portable tower adapted to stand on uneven surfaces, comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart uprights;

means interconnecting the uprights to present a rigid tower;

a pair of vertically spaced, vertically extending sockets rigidly secured to each of said uprights;

an elongated rigid frame for each upright respectively, each frame extending laterally from the tower and having a pair of rigid, integral, vertically extending shanks, each shank being received in telescoped relationship in a corresponding socket;

a vertically extending, tubular sleeve for each frame respectively, each sleeve being secured to its respective frame in horizontally spaced relationship from the corresponding upright;

an elongated, rigid leg member for each of said sleeves, each member being telescoped into its respective sleeve with the lowermost end of the member being adapted to engage a supporting surface for stabilizing the tower in am upright position; and

means releasably securing each sleeve against longitudinal;

movement with respect to its respective member.

2. The invention set forthin claim 1, wherein each of said sockets is transversely polygonal, and-wherein said shanks are shaped to fit complementally within said sockets to prevent turning of the shanks about the longitudinal axis of the sockets.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said sockets are transversely square.

4. The invention of claim I, wherein is provided a base plate, the lowermost end of each of said uprights being supported by the base plate, and wherein is provided means attaching at least one of said uprights to the base plate.

5. The invention of claim 4. wherein said attaching means includes a pair of hinges, said hinges each being secured to the base plate and to a corresponding one of said uprights respec tively, the hinge axes of both of said hinges being aligned with one another whereby said-tower may be pivoted with respect to the base plate about the axis of alignmentof the hinges.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein'said sleeves are trans.- versely polygonal, and wherein said members are shaped to f t complementally in said-tubestoprevent turning of the shanks. in the tubes about the longitudinal axes of the latter.

7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said securing means includes means for adjusting the position of each sleeve longitudinall with respect to its corresponding leg member.

8. he invention of claim 7, wherein |s provided a longitu-. dinally extending series of vertically spaced holes in the sleeves and in the members. the holes of the sleeves being alignable withthe holes of'the corresponding members, the. vertical spacing between the successive holes of the sleeves. being different than the vertical spacing between the succes sive holes of the members toprovide a vernier adjustment of the position of each leg member with respect to its corresponding element; and pin means extending through said.- aligned holes for releasably securing the members insaid positions. 

1. A portable tower adapted to stand on uneven surfaces, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart uprights; means interconnecting the uprights to present a rigid tower; a pair of vertically spaced, vertically extending sockets rigidly secured to each of said uprights; an elongated rigid frame for each upright respectively, each frame extending laterally from the tower and having a pair of rigid, integral, vertically extending shanks, each shank being received in telescoped relationship in a corresponding socket; a vertically extending, tubular sleeve for each frame respectively, each sleeve being secured to its respective frame in horizontally spaced relationship from the corresponding upright; an elongated, rigid leg member for each of said sleeves, each member being telescoped into its respective sleeve with the lowermost end of the member being adapted to engage a supporTing surface for stabilizing the tower in an upright position; and means releasably securing each sleeve against longitudinal movement with respect to its respective member.
 2. The invention set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sockets is transversely polygonal, and wherein said shanks are shaped to fit complementally within said sockets to prevent turning of the shanks about the longitudinal axis of the sockets.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said sockets are transversely square.
 4. The invention of claim 1, wherein is provided a base plate, the lowermost end of each of said uprights being supported by the base plate, and wherein is provided means attaching at least one of said uprights to the base plate.
 5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said attaching means includes a pair of hinges, said hinges each being secured to the base plate and to a corresponding one of said uprights respectively, the hinge axes of both of said hinges being aligned with one another whereby said tower may be pivoted with respect to the base plate about the axis of alignment of the hinges.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said sleeves are transversely polygonal, and wherein said members are shaped to fit complementally in said tubes to prevent turning of the shanks in the tubes about the longitudinal axes of the latter.
 7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said securing means includes means for adjusting the position of each sleeve longitudinally with respect to its corresponding leg member.
 8. The invention of claim 7, wherein is provided a longitudinally extending series of vertically spaced holes in the sleeves and in the members, the holes of the sleeves being alignable with the holes of the corresponding members, the vertical spacing between the successive holes of the sleeves being different than the vertical spacing between the successive holes of the members to provide a vernier adjustment of the position of each leg member with respect to its corresponding element; and pin means extending through said aligned holes for releasably securing the members in said positions. 